DS leaves for CIET on Friday, any tips on non listed items he should pack? I'm thinking wipes, bug spray... any other suggestions would be helpful. thanks.

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When DS went to LTC he just took some moleskin and a few bandaids, small pkt size notepad, freezer size ziplock bags to keep things dry in the field and pak things in (of course if they don't play in the rain it doesn't matter) and baby wipes. I would recommend the bug wipes instead of spray too.

They were allowed to go to the store on base to get a few things, not sure if they are allowed to now.

Pillows! DS has been without a pillow the whole of CIET. Also has mentioned really good bug repellent (DS took wondercide instead of deep based stuuf, since he was using it all the time) alot of ticks in the field.

DS took some ibuprofen, allergy med, dayquil and pepto. He only used the dayquil for the bad cold he got as soon as he got there. Took 2 bottles of combo bodywash/shampoo and only used 1. Took pack of 80 baby wipes and only used part of them. Took 100% DEET for his clothes, and 40% for the rest of him - not sure how much of it he used, but only got 2 ticks and 1 fell off on its own.
We packed EVERYTHING we could in gallon ziplocks.
Ditto the pillow, even a travel size! DS was able to buy one, but I don't know if everyone will get that chance.
Beware CIF - most of his platoon had their own camelbacks, my son did not. CIF marked down that it issued them all camelbacks, but they did not (not even my son - he borrowed someone's who had 2). They are now trying to charge them for the missing camelbacks. They are also trying to charge them for "stained" pouches on their vests. They are taking this up the chain of command, so not sure how it will resolve.
We sent a pack of playing cards, paper, envelopes and stamps and a book to read. We got 1 letter....not sure if he used the cards or book.

Pillows! DS has been without a pillow the whole of CIET. Also has mentioned really good bug repellent (DS took wondercide instead of deep based stuuf, since he was using it all the time) alot of ticks in the field.

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Just about any piece of gear is a pillow if you turn it just right. My personal favorites are the poncho liner, camelbak, and boots/ACU top. Many combinations of good pillows out there. You're responsible for everything you bring and pack, and in the real world you carry what you pack, so pack light.

For any cadets lurking regarding the CIF issue mentioned above. Never sign a hand receipt until you see and touch everything on it, regardless of what they mark down. If they tell you that you were issued a camelbak but you weren't, and you sign that hand receipt, then you just told the army you got a camelbak. Even if you have to stand at the door and throw a temper tantrum until someone fixes the error, don't sign that piece of paper until it's accurate. Once again, I'm sure it'll end up favorably in this situation, but in the real world the next piece of paper you'll see is a statement of charges. It's your responsibility.

Just about any piece of gear is a pillow if you turn it just right. My personal favorites are the poncho liner, camelbak, and boots/ACU top. Many combinations of good pillows out there. You're responsible for everything you bring and pack, and in the real world you carry what you pack, so pack light.

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I held back from commenting on this subject but thank Bull for breaking the ice. I couldn't agree more. My gas mask was my favorite pillow - plus that way I always had it close.

Regarding the CIF issue, apparently they were given the paper to sign and no time to look over their stuff. They were not given a copy of the paper. Hopefully, it will still work out, but lesson learned....look over the stuff before you sign!
They finally told them that they can wash the pouches. So the washer has been going non-stop. Three loads to go....

This should have never happened. Most of the issue comes from the cadets bringing a partial list and then having more issued onsite. There should have been one issue period. Not sure of the thinking behind schools sending the cadet with items. Bull I also slept with my gas mask, but stopped doing that, as it seemed to cause weird dreams, lol.

This should have never happened. Most of the issue comes from the cadets bringing a partial list and then having more issued onsite. There should have been one issue period. Not sure of the thinking behind schools sending the cadet with items. Bull I also slept with my gas mask, but stopped doing that, as it seemed to cause weird dreams, lol.

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I think it's due to the Fort Knox CIF simply not having enough gear to issue to thousands of cadets at once, and somewhat impractical to stockpile enough for only one training event each year. They definitely should spend a little more time teaching the cadets about hand receipts and signing for things, maybe incorporating it into a supply class. It's important stuff to know and they don't do a good job of familiarizing cadets (and even Lieutenants) with the process even at the basic individual level.

Same thing in the USMC regarding CIF. Important lesson to learn for a young Lt. In just over a year from now some of these guys will be signing forms for missing gear from their own soldiers. They will also be advising their soldiers to thoroughly inspect, inventory and sign for all gear. Something as minor as this and a pain, is a great leadership lesson for the future. They probably just haven't realized yet!

This should have never happened. Most of the issue comes from the cadets bringing a partial list and then having more issued onsite. There should have been one issue period. Not sure of the thinking behind schools sending the cadet with items. Bull I also slept with my gas mask, but stopped doing that, as it seemed to cause weird dreams, lol.

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I think it's due to the Fort Knox CIF simply not having enough gear to issue to thousands of cadets at once, and somewhat impractical to stockpile enough for only one training event each year. They definitely should spend a little more time teaching the cadets about hand receipts and signing for things, maybe incorporating it into a supply class. It's important stuff to know and they don't do a good job of familiarizing cadets (and even Lieutenants) with the process even at the basic individual level.

My son's school had the CIET cadets keep all gear issued to them this year, plus added the other items required, like uniforms, 550 cord, sleep system, etc. I know they did a few shake-downs at school, as they changed the list after they were issued the gear the first time. I know the final list required 4 sets ACU's from the school. They were only given 3, but since he is SMC, he just took one set from what he already had. They also sign everything in and out there....but only after initial and then turn-in shakedowns.

Camel back/hydration system update: they did not hear either way about what happened with having to pay for these, however they did not sign a charge slip, so DS thinks they cannot require payment without that.

Camel back/hydration system update: they did not hear either way about what happened with having to pay for these, however they did not sign a charge slip, so DS thinks they cannot require payment without that.

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Not sure what a charge slip is, but I doubt they're going to charge the cadets for anything there. They rarely ever go after cadets with statements of charges.

To be clear (for all lurking or concerned), you signing a hand receipt is acknowledgement that you received the serviceable gear and accept responsibility for it.

The charge slip he was talking about, and not sure if that is an official name, is the thing saying "I agree to pay back $60 for my camelback". He also said they were going to make them pay for their ponchos because the strings that tighten the hoods were missing. They all used their 550 cord and replaced them (they were never there to begin with - guess that is why they had them bring 550 cord as they didn't use it for anything else). Regarding the "dirt" on the pouches: DS said it was "wear" marks, like scuffs. He said the pouches were NOT new and many looked very worn to begin with, so when gear is issued, are they supposed to make note of the condition also - like missing drawstrings and scuffed pouches?

On another note - bring your favorite poison ivy remedy if you don't like calamine lotion. DS has it on many parts of his body - but not on hands, neck or face - so it must have been transferred when he removed his clothing.

The charge slip he was talking about, and not sure if that is an official name, is the thing saying "I agree to pay back $60 for my camelback". He also said they were going to make them pay for their ponchos because the strings that tighten the hoods were missing. They all used their 550 cord and replaced them (they were never there to begin with - guess that is why they had them bring 550 cord as they didn't use it for anything else). Regarding the "dirt" on the pouches: DS said it was "wear" marks, like scuffs. He said the pouches were NOT new and many looked very worn to begin with, so when gear is issued, are they supposed to make note of the condition also - like missing drawstrings and scuffed pouches?

On another note - bring your favorite poison ivy remedy if you don't like calamine lotion. DS has it on many parts of his body - but not on hands, neck or face - so it must have been transferred when he removed his clothing.

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Yea, if the gear is crap, make note of it or refuse to take and sign for it. If they say to drive on because all their gear is crap (which cadet command probably doesn't have the latest and greatest stuff), then cool. The only way they would make cadets pay for gear is if they destroyed it, they're not going to go after them for it being old and dirty.

Unfortunately, they were trying to go after them because it was old and dirty. First they told them to wash the pouches - by hand because they said they could not go in the wash, which they did. When they took them back to CIF, they were told they were unacceptable and finally decided they could go in the wash. They did accept them after that. However, 1st regiment CLC was handing in gear at the same time and their identical pouches were accepted without comment. I think it just depended on who in CIF was checking the gear in.
Same with the ponchos - they were told to keep them and pay for them because of the missing strings.....that is what they fixed with the 550 cord.